RE: EV conversions for Morgan and Triumph

RE: EV conversions for Morgan and Triumph

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Discussion

kambites

67,567 posts

221 months

Wednesday 14th April 2021
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Glosphil said:
kambites said:
I'm sure petrol will still be available for at least half a decade; just as leaded petrol (or at least LRP) is still available now if you look for it. Sure there wont be very many stations around because ICE will quickly become just a hobby, but it will be a popular enough hobby that you'll be able to get hold of the stuff. I don't think there will be a time in my lifetime when I can't buy petrol within 20 miles of where I live.
You really think that petrol will only be available up to 2035!!!
I expect there to be millions of petrol cars on the roads in 2040 & beyond. Also motorbikes are not affected by 2030 ban on petrol cars.
Sorry I meant half a century! hehe

Bakazan

102 posts

137 months

Wednesday 14th April 2021
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If this were done to a modern classic, how does it work come MOT time? Is the tester allowed to just waive the requirement for an emissions test / confirmation that the cat is still present etc?

reeventu

73 posts

188 months

Wednesday 14th April 2021
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chrispmartha said:
Most of those questions could be asked of anyone modding an old car EV or not.
Indeed couldn't agree more

I would rather be sailing

44 posts

60 months

Wednesday 14th April 2021
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As long as the Stags they use are ones already wrecked with Rover V8S or even worse Essex Ford V6s no problem. Please do not destroy one with its original Triumph eng9

AMGSee55

634 posts

102 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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Doing that to a Stag is criminal - not the EV conversion but the whitewall tyres eek

JamesyBoy1975

91 posts

155 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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reeventu said:
The whole idea is quite frankly rubbish, if you want an old/classic buy one ,accept breakdowns , skinned knuckles whatever,

........

If you want an EV buy a properly made model

If you want a classic buy a proper original car
If you want an EV converted classic car, but an EV converted classic car..

I have to say, there are a few classic models that I would like to be converted into a usable daily driver (DS already mentioned).

cedrichn

812 posts

51 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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Are we going to get an article every time someone put an electric engine in a classic car, and ask silly money for it ? Start to get boring, we got the idea...

swisstoni

16,997 posts

279 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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Well, it’s a tossup between this and some limited edition Bugatti or whatever.

On balance I find EV conversions marginally more interesting.

DonkeyApple

55,281 posts

169 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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rxe said:
There is no environmental or functional case for doing this sort of thing. These cars do sod all mileage anyway, so the environmental benefits are less than zero. As far as originality goes, its like gutting an old Rolex and stuffing a Casio digital watch in the case. Yes, it will be more accurate and reliable. But that isn't really the point.
I would hope that no one was actually dumb enough to think any of this was about ecowaffle though.

Rolex probably isn't a good example as what's inside one isn't exactly special in any way at all. Of all the man bangle brands it's the one that is mostly a triumph of marketing over actual quality.

The thing about classic EV conversions is that there is a logic to them. The majority of people who own or desire to own classics are likely to enjoy the smelly, oily, noisy bits but there will be some people for whom the hassle of that stuff outweighs the pleasure, especially when the engine isn't anything remotely special. The key is that just because someone has a different taste or different use or criteria than someone else it doesn't make them any less of an enthusiast.

Where something like this scores big is somewhere like the Home Counties where people position themselves to be within easy Tube of work in central London but simultaneously just a short drive to a country pub at the weekends. There it is not exactly uncommon for someone to have an interesting old car that sits in the garage most of the time and when the stars align with having the time and the sun being out the first thought is to wheel it out of the garage and head off to a nice pub. The big benefit of an EV conversion is that you don't have that risk of having to tinker when your family is wanting to be going out. Other benefits are a bit more power and something different, the same as all engine conversions really.

What's interesting to note about these two cars is that firstly they are 2+2s which is unlikely to be by chance and secondly they are converted in the Home Counties. I think they are very specifically targetting that sporadic pub run suburban market which does make sense as that's the demographic that not only does the product work for but can also afford.

Does it matter if a few old bangers get a new lease of life that doesn't comply with the rigid rules of some ethereal, self appointed control group? Of course not. Does it mean that all of us are suddenly going to rip out the engines of our old bangers and butcher the wife's washing machine? Of course not. Are either of these cars in ultra rare supply, of immense historical or social value or fitted with the greatest petrol engines of history? Of course not.

What they are though is your absolutely stereotypical l, generic Home Counties classic banger for high days and holidays where there are a few customers who fancy bringing their drivetrains up to date for both personal fun and convenience.

DonkeyApple

55,281 posts

169 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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I would rather be sailing said:
As long as the Stags they use are ones already wrecked with Rover V8S or even worse Essex Ford V6s no problem. Please do not destroy one with its original Triumph eng9
Agree but the flipside is that it frees up the correct V8 for an enthusiast who has a beautiful Stag but driving around offending 'true' enthusiasts with a turd conversion in it. In reality it's a zero sum situation.

biggbn

23,323 posts

220 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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All for this kind of thing. For many, owning a classic is all about the feel good and aesthetic pleasure they get, the fact this minimises maintenence and maximises usage will be a bonus for them. For others, owning a classic is an excuse to tinker, to upgrade...these cars are not for them, kinda simple ain't it, you buy what suits your needs. A battered patinanted 2cv van with an electric motor, yes please. A battered patinated rat rod...? That needs a v8, or a big dirty diesel....

mat205125

17,790 posts

213 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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reeventu said:
The whole idea is quite frankly rubbish, if you want an old/classic buy one ,accept breakdowns , skinned knuckles whatever,

To plonk as someone rightly said an electric motor in an old car is crazy.

Consider handling , brakes , electrics, corrosion etc ,all need updating or revising or repairing. you then end up with an old shape with modern probably unsuitable power system , giving limited performance , limited range at a vast expense. the vehicle will be worth nothing in a very short time. Enthusiasts wont want it , those that first bought it will realise the mistake and those with enough money will buy a new conversion .

I cannot even understand how it could be road legal surely it would need proper examination to show it complied with all safety requirements for electric vehicles . I suspect the fire service would be very unhappy with this concept

If you want an EV buy a properly made model

If you want a classic buy a proper original car
Is it so hard to comprehend that people might want all the joys of a classic, but minus the hassle and expense of running one using old and crap powertrains?

Where a classic is dominated by its engine this wont be desirable, however even Morgan themselves have modernized away from crappy old boat anchor engines for their evolution

DonkeyApple

55,281 posts

169 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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Electric motors just join the modders option list alongside the Chevy or adiratevi engine, electronic ignition, better brakes and while raft of other things.

What this really boils down to if you strip out the plan anti EV political loonery is the same old split between the two main types of car enthusiast, those who see their role as that of a museum curator and those who see their role as tailoring a mass produced, generic, one size fits all product to meet their personal desires.

Old cars in some ways are like generic, off the shelf suits. Some people happen to actually fit them, others want to keep them as they are while some will spend the same again having it fitted.

No one is right or wrong until they attempt to force their view onto others at which point frankly they are in mentalist territory and best swerved when spotted. biggrin

ImDesigner

1,958 posts

194 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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romac said:
Brilliant idea. Shame it is so expensive at the moment. Not everyone loves driving because of the noise a car makes. Some of us love driving despite the noise a car makes. Open-top, quiet electric cruising must be bliss!

If you can't live without the sound, just need to add a soundracer.se product to get the sound you want! tongue out
I'd like to politely suggest you try a car with a proper engine then.

I don't particularly like the Stag, but surely the only reason you'd want one is for the fantastic sound they make? Why replace the source of that woofle with milk float power plant?!

Retro_Jim

371 posts

51 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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I can understand the triumph as it's built more for comfort than speed and the V8 was known for it's issues, you also get the added bonus of upsetting the rivet counters!

I'm not adverse to electric conversions given that it would mean that classics could become daily driven cars again. There are a lot of people out there who like the look of a classic car but aren't necessarily inclined to deal with the realities of a car that leaks or has a particular starting procedure.

The main downside of using a classic as a daily is the insurance - I have classic insurance but I believe I can only do 6000 miles a year (that's fine this year as I'm still finishing it off). When I'm happy that I've ironed out the kinks and have something useable I want the freedom to use it but I think the classic insurance companies see classic car use as a jaunt out on a sunny day to a car show and back.

Me personally I'd like to do road trips I used to do through Europe that are between 1000-2000 miles if I don't get lost!

DonkeyApple

55,281 posts

169 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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Retro_Jim said:
I can understand the triumph as it's built more for comfort than speed and the V8 was known for it's issues, you also get the added bonus of upsetting the rivet counters!

I'm not adverse to electric conversions given that it would mean that classics could become daily driven cars again. There are a lot of people out there who like the look of a classic car but aren't necessarily inclined to deal with the realities of a car that leaks or has a particular starting procedure.

The main downside of using a classic as a daily is the insurance - I have classic insurance but I believe I can only do 6000 miles a year (that's fine this year as I'm still finishing it off). When I'm happy that I've ironed out the kinks and have something useable I want the freedom to use it but I think the classic insurance companies see classic car use as a jaunt out on a sunny day to a car show and back.

Me personally I'd like to do road trips I used to do through Europe that are between 1000-2000 miles if I don't get lost!
The other benefit is that of the group who would like an EV, a classic EV is just a happy dumb schmuck that sits doing nothing in your garage and when you use it just does what you want, when you want versus a modern EV which is quietly in league with your kettle and toaster to just cause trouble and is probably desperate to grass you up to the Government. biggrin

If you want an EV that doesn't have a massive telly in it and just works the way cars have always worked while also looking fun and putting a smile on your face then converting a classic seems a nice option to have.

richinlondon

594 posts

122 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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Such an environmental red-herring - these cars will never do the mileage to offset the environmental impact of all of those batteries.

And the stag without the noise is like Tom Jones singing 'What's new pussy cat' using sign language.

biggbn

23,323 posts

220 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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richinlondon said:
Such an environmental red-herring - these cars will never do the mileage to offset the environmental impact of all of those batteries.

And the stag without the noise is like Tom Jones singing 'What's new pussy cat' using sign language.
Or to carry that analogy on, a Stag with its v8 is like Tom Jones getting halfway through a concert then his voice breaking down and having to cancel the rest of his toursmile

ddom

6,657 posts

48 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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What a waste.

ddom

6,657 posts

48 months

Thursday 15th April 2021
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sisu said:
Crashing a classic car with an EV conversion. This reinforced steel box full of metal is ending up in your chest.


The £60,000 question is no mention of the price. Lowest is £35,000 for a Beetle and no mention of a Jag e type or Bentley at ten times that
I have seen prettier diesel generators rofl